by Frank Carey
Moments later, we were in the lounge where Jacks waited with bottles of ice-cold beer. “We found the cure,” she said as she handed a bottle to each of us.
“Max told us, but didn't give us any details. So, is Penny okay?” Hiram asked.
“Fit as a fiddle and eating like a horse,” Jacks told them before launching into an explanation. When she finished, I just stood there, stunned. I thought back to the last few days, soaking up the sun, and producing vitamin D in my skin. No wonder I didn't have the urge to feed on Hiram. I turned to him to say something, but he was down on one knee, holding out a ring.
“Dr. Syron. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?” he said as he took my hand and put the ring on my finger.
Who in their right mind could say no to that?
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It was late, but I had to make a few final corrections to the papers I was submitting to the Historical Society when we arrived back on Earth. I sat there in bed, surrounded by notes and references while Hiram snored next to me sound asleep. If anyone deserved a night's sleep, it was him. He did save my life, after all. I thought about the events that had transpired over the last few days and the effects they would have on human, Venlanten, and guardian societies, not to mention the rest of the League. Back on Venlanta, Joshua and his team of volunteers were working on ways to bring the guardians into the League. Being more advanced than any League civilization brought its own set of headaches to those trying to construct a treaty. I was looking forward to returning to Venlanta to start a new phase of discovery as we search for the missing pieces of our history.
I looked down at my husband—the captain performed the marriage ceremony this morning—and marveled at his love for me and my love for him. My only regret was not being able to tell Peter how happy Hiram and I were. I think he would understand and approve.
I placed my work on the floor before curling up against Hiram. As I fell asleep, I wondered what happened to the other arkships that left Venlanta so long ago. Ah the hell with it. I’ll deal with that tomorrow. Now, it was time to sleep in my husband’s arms and dream about what the future held for us.
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About Frank Carey
Frank Carey has been formally writing and publishing works of science fiction since late 2013. Over the years prior, he had dabbled in various forms of writing including haiku poetry, but that all changed when he and his wife, Jo, decided to try their hand at writing and self-publishing. All his work, to date, has been in the science fiction genre.
Most of his stories take place about two centuries in the future when Earth joins the League of Planetary Systems. Many of his protagonists are strong females. He is an inveterate pantser who believes the story will go where the story wants to go.
Frank’s background includes degrees in physics and extensive work as a scientific programmer and technologist.
Frank and his wife produce a podcast—Xtreme Self-Publishing—which details their self-publishing efforts.
Frank can be reached through his podcast at xtremeselfpublishing.podbean.com or via e-mail at [email protected] or [email protected]